FROM THE DIRECTOR
Virginia Anne Sharber
Here at the Hunter Museum of American Art, we are firm believers that art and creativity are forces for personal growth and positive community change, and we are honored to serve as a cultural resource for our community. As we strive to better engage our diverse audiences in active dialogues about the importance, meaning, and relevance of American art, the Hunter continues to re-imagine and re-interpret American art through compelling programs for every age and through diverse and interactive exhibitions. These programs and exhibitions are shaped by our commitment to representing a variety of experiences, cultures, and perspectives in hopes that visitors see art with new eyes as way to better understand the many facets of American history and to learn more about what makes us Americans today. As stewards of the museum, we are constantly working towards its improvement, and we are grateful for your support, your ideas and your suggestions as we strive to ensure that your experience is exciting and thought-provoking. I invite you to come and explore all the museum has to offer, and I look forward to seeing you at your Hunter!
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Virginia Anne Sharber
Here at the Hunter Museum of American Art, we are firm believers that art and creativity are forces for personal growth and positive community change, and we are honored to serve as a cultural resource for our community. As we strive to better engage our diverse audiences in active dialogues about the importance, meaning, and relevance of American art, the Hunter continues to re-imagine and re-interpret American art through compelling programs for every age and through diverse and interactive exhibitions. These programs and exhibitions are shaped by our commitment to representing a variety of experiences, cultures, and perspectives in hopes that visitors see art with new eyes as way to better understand the many facets of American history and to learn more about what makes us Americans today. As stewards of the museum, we are constantly working towards its improvement, and we are grateful for your support, your ideas and your suggestions as we strive to ensure that your experience is exciting and thought-provoking. I invite you to come and explore all the museum has to offer, and I look forward to seeing you at your Hunter!
MISSION STATEMENT
The Hunter Museum of American Art collects, preserves, and presents American art and connects the community through inspiring educational and visitor-focused experiences for all.
VISION STATEMENT
The Hunter Museum is a national model exemplifying how art museums can transform the communities they serve. With its iconic campus, exceptional collection of American art and engagement in and with the community, the Hunter is an essential space where all people are welcomed to experience creativity, connect, and share ideas.
DEAI STATEMENT
The Hunter Museum of American Art champions policies and practices that value diversity, foster equity, and empower an accessible and inclusive environment. As an institution and as individuals, we are dedicated to dismantling systemic and institutional inequities by breaking down barriers and advancing inclusion and equitable practices for traditionally marginalized people including but not limited to people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, and differently-abled individuals. The Hunter is embedding these DEAI principles in all aspects of the museum’s work and organizational culture.
In undertaking this work, the Hunter defines DEAI principals as follows:
- Diversity – Diversity is all of the factors that shape the experiences, values and perspectives of individuals. These include but are not limited to age, mental and physical ability, gender identity, race, national origin, religion, socio-economic status, and sexual orientation.
- Equity – Equity is the promotion of fair and just treatment, access and opportunities for all staff and members of our community.
- Accessibility – Accessibility is the equitable access of all people to use, experience or participate in activities, resources, facilities, and services, regardless of ability or socio-economic status.
- Inclusion – Inclusion refers to the intentional effort of creating environments in which all individuals or groups can feel welcomed, respected, empowered and valued. It is also an effort to cultivate leaders at all levels to fully participate in the museum’s work with equal agency.
To advance these principles and serve our community, the Hunter is committed to:
- Ensuring that all exhibitions, programming, facilities and services are accessible to everyone.
- Providing a forum for public discussion of vital community issues, including social justice, and equity for historically marginalized groups.
- Including under-represented voices, stories and perspectives in exhibitions and programming.
- Presenting collections, exhibitions, programming, publications and public communications that accurately represent historical facts and events; and highlighting the voices and experiences of diverse cultures in a respectful and culturally competent manner.
- Forging meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with diverse individuals and organizations in the community, including local BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and differently-abled serving organizations in a continual effort to ensure that all visitors feel welcomed, valued and heard.
- Diversifying the Hunter’s Board of Trustees, leadership, staff and volunteers so that the museum is reflective of our community at all levels. These efforts include the implementation of equitable hiring and retention practices, deliberate recruitment strategies to reach diverse candidates, and public transparency about the membership of our Board of Trustees and senior management team.
- Conducting regular staff-wide DEAI training to develop cultural competence and strategies for identifying, preventing and responding to discrimination, including unconscious bias, on both a personal and institutional level.
